DOGDEN RETURNS (Still Untrained)
Hey, Dogdenites: Extra treats, competitions, and a huge paw parade starring you — drag your human to Historic 25th Street
A local Dogdenite leads the parade down Historic 25th Street at the inaugural Dogden festival on Sept. 13, 2025. Kaylie Peterson
NEWS
Farmers Market Ogden will once again end on an adorable note this month with the second annual Dogden event, a festival meant to celebrate the furry friends in the community. The event, which will take place on Sept. 12, will host hundreds of dogs and their owners all along Historic 25th Street to close out the regular farmer’s market season.
Following the success of last year’s festival, event hosts Ogden Downtown Alliance and title sponsor Alphia are anticipating over 450 dogs to attend the event, with a parade at 9 a.m. and competitions and games to follow.
Scenes from last year’s Dogden festival on Sept. 13, 2025. Photos courtesy of Ogden Downtown Alliance
“At its core, Dogden is just a celebration of dogs and community, and coming together to enjoy being dog owners,” Cecily Kiss, Community Partnerships Director of Ogden Downtown Alliance, said. “It’s very lighthearted and whimsical.”
According to Kiss, Dogden was created last year when Steve Ballard, owner of Ogden Produce Company and Sonora Grill, had the idea to unite the community on their shared love of dogs. With so much of Ogden’s culture surrounding outdoor recreation, it’s naturally a hub for dog owners who like to take their pets out and about with them. As the board chair of Ogden Downtown Alliance, Ballard reached out to local dog food manufacturer Alphia, who was more than happy to help.
“For us, it’s about more than sponsoring an event,” Alphia Brand and Communications Manager Mandy Layne said. “We have a long history in Ogden and a lot of team members who live and work in this community, so being an active community partner is important to us. Dogden is a natural fit.”
The farmers market will operate like normal, with more dog-centered booths, vendors and events lining 25th Street. Daily Rise will offer pup cups, and the first 200 owners to register their dogs will receive a free bandana. Booths specifically for Dogden will be set up in the Municipal Garden, where dogs can cool off in the shady grass. Registration and participation is free, and there will be many free swag items for pets and humans alike.
Competitions for Most Talented, Best Dressed, Most Adorable and Top Dog will take place starting at 10 a.m., and there will be an open course for dogs to participate in, according to Layne.
Dogenites wait to participate in the contests at the festival in 2025. Daniel Gibbons; Costume contest participants wait for judges to decide the winner at Dogden 2025. Deann Armes
“Alphia gets the fun — and probably very difficult — job of helping choose the winners. Our team really enjoyed being part of the judging last year, so we’re excited to do it again,” Layne said.
The Weber State University Alumni Association will have a booth to celebrate and spread awareness of their own pet-centered event, Purple Paw Parade, happening next month. This similar event centers around a parade route spanning several blocks in downtown Ogden from the amphitheater to Weber State Downtown, located right off of Washington Boulevard .
“Farmers Market Ogden has been around for decades and it’s always been a very dog-friendly market,” Kiss said. “We see hundreds of dogs every weekend with their owners and, as staff members, some of our favorite parts of the day are getting to meet silly dogs in costumes or dogs with a funny haircut or just cute puppies.”
Don’t have a dog? Not a problem. Adoption partners from Herding Haven, Friends of Utah Paws and Tails, South Ogden City Animal Services and Weber County Animal Services will help some pups find their forever homes right at the event. Kiss said four dogs were adopted on-site last year at Dogden, with even more gaining visibility from attendees.
“We’re hoping that even more dogs are able to find families this year,” Kiss said.
Walking along the market, visitors might even get the chance to meet last year’s grand marshal: St. Bernard Ody from Volker’s Bakery. Ody is often spotted under Volker’s four red tents on the corner of 25th and Grant, where they sell breads and pastries.
“Ody has been a farmer’s market mascot for quite some time,” Kiss said. “We decided what better grand marshal than Ody for year one.”
At the time of writing, the grand marshal for this year’s event was undecided.
Ody officially receives his Grand Marshal sash ahead of leading the Dogden parade down Historic 25th Street, Sept. 13, 2025. Deann Armes; Ody leads the 2025 Dogden parade as Grand Marshal with his owner from Volker’s Bakery. Kaylie Peterson
Dogs are required to be on leash at the event, and owners are encouraged to bring water and paw protection to combat asphalt heat. Owners can register their pup on Ogden Downtown Alliance’s website. Kiss expressed that everyone, dog owner or not, is welcome to come take part in the fun and watch as the dogs take over 25th Street.
“What’s better than cute dogs of all shapes and sizes, breeds and ages strutting down the street and wagging their tails?” Kiss said. “I think we could all use something a little happy in our lives and so we’re really excited about this year.”
One Dogdenite showcases their skills on the canine agility course at the Dogden festival in 2025. Kaylie Peterson